Fiji: Land Of Smiles & Culture Discover The Magic!
Do you want to meet some of the world's most radiant people? Fiji, an archipelago nation in the South Pacific, is famed for its exceptionally friendly inhabitants, and a welcoming spirit that is felt from the moment you arrive.
The Fijian people are renowned across the globe for their warmth and their genuine smiles. It's a cultural hallmark, a characteristic deeply embedded in their rich heritage and strong family values. Their inherent friendliness, often expressed through a heartfelt "Bula!" greeting, makes them among the most welcoming people on the planet. Since 2010, the indigenous Fijians, officially known as the iTaukei, have been the major population of the Fiji Islands, residing in a region informally known as Melanesia. Their ancestors, believed to have originated in western Melanesia approximately 3,500 years ago, have woven a rich tapestry of traditions that define Fijian culture.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Republic of Fiji |
| Capital | Suva |
| Location | South Pacific Ocean, approximately 2,100 km north of Auckland, New Zealand |
| Archipelago | Over 330 islands and 540 islets |
| Main Islands | Viti Levu, Vanua Levu |
| Population (2017 Census) | 884,887 |
| Ethnic Groups | iTaukei (Indigenous Fijians), Fijian Indians, Europeans, Chinese, and others |
| Languages | Fijian, English, Fiji Hindi |
| Cultural Influences | Indigenous Fijian, Indian, European, Chinese, and other nationalities |
| Primary Industries | Tourism, Sugar Production, Fishing |
| Currency | Fijian Dollar (FJD) |
| Notable Fact | Fiji was ranked as the happiest country in the world in a 2014 Win/Gallup International poll |
| Reference | Official Government of Fiji Website |
The islands, the people, the languages, the religions, and the cuisine Fiji stands out as one of the most diverse nations in the South Pacific. The blend of cultures creates a vibrant community, where more than 900,000 residents celebrate a shared Fijian identity. According to the 2017 census, Fiji had a population of 884,887 people, showing a consistent growth, with a population of 837,271 a decade earlier, in 2007. Since the 1930s, the population of Fiji has grown at a rate of 1.1% per annum.
A visitor to Fiji, even with a casual observation, cannot help but be struck by the pride of the indigenous people. This is reflected in their posture, their direct gaze, and their respect for tradition, which is often demonstrated through their exceptional hospitality. Constitutionally, citizens of Fiji are referred to as Fiji Islanders, but the term Fiji nationals is used for official purposes.
In August 2008, shortly before the proposed People's Charter for Change, Peace, and Progress was to be released to the public, it was announced that it recommended a change in the name for Fiji's citizens. "Owners of the land" are the nation and ethnic group native to Fiji, who speak Fijian and English and share a common history and culture. Fijians, or iTaukei, are the major indigenous people of the Fiji Islands of Melanesia. Additionally, there are indigenous Polynesians who inhabit the island of Rotuma, a Polynesian outlier that is part of the Fiji archipelago. Although the indigenous Fijian people are usually classified as ethnically Melanesian, their social and political organization is closer to that of Polynesia, and there has been a high level of intermarriage between Fijians from the Lau group of islands of eastern Fiji and the neighboring Polynesian islands of Tonga.
Most of Fiji's eighteen urban centers are located on the two largest islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. In the first half of the twentieth century, these urban centers were largely dominated by South Asians and Europeans, while Fijians were considered essentially a rural people. Fiji itself consists of an archipelago of over 330 islands, of which about 110 are permanently inhabited, and over 500 islets, adding up to a total land area of approximately 18,300 square kilometers (7,100 sq mi). About 87% of the total population live on the two main islands, Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
Fijians are renowned for their warmth, generosity, and unwavering hospitality, traits deeply rooted in their rich cultural heritage and strong family values. Their inherent friendliness, frequently expressed through a genuine smile and a hearty "Bula!", places them among the most welcoming people on the planet. The culture of Fiji is a rich tapestry woven with threads of Native Fijian, Indian, European, Chinese, and other nationalities.
Culture, polity, traditions, language, food, customs, belief systems, architecture, arts, crafts, music, dance, and sports all contribute to the vibrant character of Fiji. The history and evolution of Fiji has been shaped by indigenous communities, as well as the various communities that have come to make up modern Fijian society. There is an intriguing distinction between the Fijians of today and the historical Melanesian ancestors, with similarities and differences compared to the parent stock found in Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, and New Caledonia. There are many dos and don'ts of traveling to Fiji, from choosing an island and understanding kava drinking etiquette to knowing what to pack.
Before you even step foot on the islands, it pays to do your research. No two islands are exactly alike in Fiji, and the unique characteristics of the major ones are worth exploring before you arrive. Fiji, an archipelago nation in the South Pacific Ocean, surrounds the Koro Sea, approximately 1,300 miles (2,100 km) north of Auckland, New Zealand. The country is composed of around 300 islands, with roughly 100 of those inhabited, plus 540 islets. Suva, the capital city, is located on the southeast coast of the largest island, Viti Levu.
The original settlers of Fiji, arriving over 5,000 years ago, are now called the Lapita people, but were originally Melanesians and Polynesians. Fiji's first settlements were established by voyaging traders, and the first Europeans to land and live among the native population were shipwrecked sailors. The discovery and recording of the islands are largely credited to Captain William Bligh, who sailed through Fiji after the mutiny on the Bounty in 1789. The first Europeans to land and live among the Fijians were shipwrecked sailors and runaway convicts from the Australian penal settlements.
The South Pacific nation of Fiji is composed of about 300 islands, with people living on roughly 100 of them. Suva, the capital, is located on Viti Levu Island. The Indian Fijians are the backbone of cultural diversity in Fiji, introducing special herbs and spices that are a defining element of the culture the island country represents. Their presence in Fiji began in the late 19th century, when many Indians arrived during British rule.
Destination Fiji is a virtual guide to the island group in the South Pacific Ocean, about 3,000 km east of Australia and 2,000 km north of New Zealand. The archipelago consists of more than 330 islands, of which about 100 are inhabited. Viti Levu, home to the main international airport, might be a mandatory place to visit. At 10,389 sq km (4,011 sq mi), Viti Levu is Fiji's largest and most diverse island. The main island of Fiji is split into several exciting destinations, each with its own unique landscapes, attractions, and charm.
In a 2014 Win/Gallup International poll of countries, Fiji's people were found to be the happiest on Earth, with 93 percent of Fijians answering that they were either happy or very happy. Before people set foot in Fiji, the islands were silent witnesses to the ebb and flow of the Pacific Ocean. It was a time when the tropical breeze rustled through the untouched foliage, and the songs of the sea were the only melodies heard.
